The Nova Scotia Community College’s campus in Kentville is bearing more fruit than ever before. Almost 10 years ago, the school was approached by provincial wine industry organizations—folks like the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia hoped the college would look into the training needs of the industry. […]
Drink
Viticulture shock
Sean Myles has been working on breeding new grape varieties since 2011, when he partnered with Hans Christian Jost—the then-owner of Jost Vineyards—on a cross of Muscat and L’Acadie Blanc grapes. An assistant professor at Dalhousie, Myles works in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences and is the Canada Research Chair in Agricultural […]
Message in a bottle: 5 wine picks from local experts
So far, this fall isn’t really all that fall-like—not that we’re complaining. And neither is Nicole Raufeisen, the sommelier and manager at the waterfront’s 27-seater bar Little Oak. She’s easing into the season, sipping on mostly lighter reds, as well as sherry. “I know people don’t think of sherry as a wine because it’s fortified […]
The Wine Lover’s Guide to Atlantic Canada reads between the vines
Moira Peters knows a lot about wine. A trained sommelier, wine columnist and the owner of Unwined Tasting Parties, she doesn’t just talk about the juice—her life is all about it. Even more so now, as she adds her latest badge of vino know-how: Writing the book on local wine, literally, as co-author of The […]
99 bottles (and cans) on the wall
If you’re going to take one down, and pass it around, you might as well make it something brewed locally. We rounded up some (yup, there’s way more) of the most-loved locals you can take home and enjoy. Find them at their respective breweries, private liquor stores or the little ol’ NSLC. (left to right) […]
Get on the bus
The smoky flavour of Good Robot’s Samsquamptch!, the hoppiness of Garrison’s India Pale Ale and the malty aroma of Sea Level Brewing’s Rojo Mojo Red may be more familiar to some Haligonians than others. Now, with the advent of Taste Halifax Tours’ Beer Bus, curious connoisseurs (and generally thirsty people) can discover the flavours of […]
Wizz kid, Guy Tipton
Guy Tipton says his invention, the FizzWizz, came to be quite unexpectedly. What began as a mini-home project evolved into a state-of-the-art carbonation system that helps craft brewers maintain consistency and control over their final product. But Tipton’s motivation to take on this endeavour only began when his wife Emily and their friend Henry Pedro—both […]
Malt teaser: the goods on Horton Ride Malt & Grain Co.
You’re out for a pint, minding your own business, when your beer-nerd friend—everyone has one—starts on a rant about the full, rich, enticing body of their chosen brew. Though mildly annoying, that friend’s on to something. When people talk about a beer’s body they’re basically talking about malt. Malt gives beer that lingering flavour, the […]
Locks and load: adventures with Dartmouth’s new brewery
Nine Locks Brewing, owned by Danny and Shaun O’Hearn, officially graced the craft brewery scene with its presence last week. In the same brand new building as the Mic Mac Bar & Grill, the brewery’s name pays homage to the historic Shubenacadie Canal that meanders just a stone’s throw away. The O’Hearns, distant cousins and […]
Five wines for $15 and under
You don’t have to sacrifice taste for price if you know where to look. Sommelier Erin Horton of Bishop’s Cellar pulls five affordable and tasty wines for every budget. The good news is cheaper wines usually mean easy drinking and no “pencil-shaving aromas.” The bad news is you have every excuse to double fist bottles […]

